Swansea Metropolitan University degree show 2009

Fri, 24 Jul 2009

Graduates from Swansea Metropolitan University, based on the South Wales coast, exhibited their final year BA and BSc Automotive Design projects at the National Waterfront Museum recently. A relative newcomer to automotive and transport design - this being only the second BA graduate cohort to graduate - the three-year course at Swansea Metropolitan yields a high standard of work, which has received positive industry support in recent years.

With projects ranging from the slightly avant-garde to high-quality next generation or niche vehicles, the students were encouraged to select a philosophical direction that they were passionate about yet also suited their desired future career aspirations.

Ferrari F75 Mugello
Adam Flay

The Ferrari F75 Mugello is a design study aimed at producing an archetype for future eco-friendly supercars. The concept is powered by a mid-mounted electrical motor and twin turbine boosters, providing a sustainable solution for the supercar of tomorrow's world with no compromises on performance, style or beauty. The concept also rejuvenates Ferrari's classic surface language to produce a timeless design with the brands passion, poetic drama and Italian beauty to celebrate the 75th anniversary (2022) of the Prancing Horse. The concept is inspired by technical F1 aerodynamics juxtaposed with sleek, organic surfaces, representing the green credentials the vehicle showcases.

Leatherman ‘Wrath' 2083
Alexander Barnard

The Wrath was conceived in an age when everything is controlled by computers and electronics, a vision based on our current rate of world development of ruling out human input and encasing technologies with facades. It therefore became important to envisage the motorcycle as being ‘future modern retro', a vehicle which is constructive and mechanical in styling - with regressions toward early 21st century ‘custom choppers' - and attempts to defy the aging process in a similar was to its inspirational precursor: the Leatherman multi-tool, an object that is functional yet elegant. The motorcycle steers clear of simply adopting the appearance of a multi-tool and being loaded with functions and becoming like a ‘transformer', but offers the user a product which is customizable to suit riding style or conditions.

Citroen Naitre
Matthew Dewey

The Citroen Naitre project was designed to be a fresh look at the automotive design industry. Incorporating innovative new packaging and technologies, the Naitre uses algae as the fuel source, and it was important that the vehicle communicated the use of new technologies in its appearance. The Citroen brand was chosen for its past, present and future design proposals and how they have stood out from the crowd, pushing our perceptions of the automobile. Dewey's research into the automaker found that it is a very passenger-orientated brand, which gave him a base through which he created an advanced passenger-driven design, which incorporates emotion in its design. This gave the project depth but also a solid theme from the start.

Mazda Yuuga Coupe
Imran Ali

This design study investigates the possibility of a niche Mazda coupé, which takes the brand into the prestigious car market. Its maker asserts that it will fill the gap that currently exists within Mazda's current product range and will also offer something distinctive and unique when compared to its main competitors. The Mazda Yuuga, an elegant, four-seat coupé, is Ali's answer; capturing the zoom - zoom spirit of the Mazda brand and presenting the soul of a sports car in a new emotional way. The concept shows the progression of the flowing aerodynamic surface styling inspired by Mazda's conceptual emotion of motion design language and has indications of the typical design cues of the brand.

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